It’s unbelievable, after centuries of research and millions known species of animals and plants, biologists are still discovering new amazing species living on Earth.
Recently, scientists from Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory (HURL) informed the public about new undersea coral and sponge they discovered in Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.
Newly discovered yellow bamboo coral and the giant sponge are living in depths of between 3,000 to 6,000 feet under sea surface. The researchers returned back from their expedition on November 19.
The monument is about 100 times larger than Yosemite National Park and was created by president George Bush only a year ago. Situated in the Northwestern part of Hawaiian Islands and includes about 1,000 miles of the main Islands.
Christopher Kelly, who is the principal investigator of this project, said the monument is a potential place of many future discoveries. “In Hawaiian traditions Northwestern Hawaiian islands are considered a sacred place a region of primordial darkness from which life springs and spirits return after death.”
Most of new species are detected at places which resist human activity, as many protected areas are. Life under sea level is still so surprising, especially for scientists.
“Most of the monuments are under scuba diving depths,”said Randy Kosaki. He is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research coordinator for the monument. “It’s important to find ways to explore these deep water ecosystems where the inhabitants are virtually unknown.”
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